The City’s sign by-law sets out the ground rules for all types of signs in the City. Permanent signs and signs with a structural component require permits, and are administered by Planning & Development. Other commercial business and casual signs require a temporary licence from By-law Enforcement Services. It is unlawful to erect certain signs without a permit or licence where one is required by the City sign by-law. Some signs are entirely prohibited, such as signs that interfere with pedestrians or traffic, and some signs are restricted to certain locations only, such as billboards. Some signs are exempt from controls under certain circumstances, such as real estate signs.

Sign Permits

A sign permit is your formal permission to erect a sign. A permit will be issued if the sign complies with the City’s Sign By-law, the Zoning by-law, the Ontario Building Code, and other applicable laws and regulations.
Sign permits are necessary to ensure that regulations and standards are met. The Sign permit control process protects business owners from unfair practices, provides for the safe erection of signs and related structures, and helps control visual clutter in the community.
In many cases, a sign company may obtain permits on behalf of an owner or tenant. It is the building or property owner, however, who is ultimately responsible for complying with all sign requirements, including obtaining a permit or license when necessary.

A sign permit is required for the following sign types:

• Ground Signs
  Signs located on a structural base in or on the ground, but not part of a building, including a pylon sign.
   
• Wall Signs
  Signs attached to a building wall, including a canopy sign, and a sign that projects from a wall.
   
• Development Signs
  Temporary signs that advertise a proposed development.
   
• Billboards
  A sign that permits periodic advertising of goods, products, or services that are not available at the location of the sign, or that directs a person to a location different from where the sign is located. The owner of a billboard must also obtain an annual licence to sell advertising on the billboard.

A temporary sign licence is required for certain commercial signs, including:

• Portable signs
• Banners
• Inflatable signs
• Sidewalk signs
• Billboard advertising

Not all signs require permits or licences. Signs not requiring a permit or licence under some conditions include:

• Community event signs
• Filming location signs
• Garage sale signs
• Open house signs
• Real estate signs
• Address signs
• Construction information signs
• Model home signs
• Development sales office signs
• Development sales signs
• Directional signs
• Directory signs
• Menu boards
• Farm signs
• Election signs
• Flags
• Interior signs
• Home improvement signs
• No trespassing signs
• Home based business signs
• Posters
• Gas station canopies

All the above signs are subject to number, size and other conditions and limitations prescribed in the sign by-law.

Obtaining a Sign Permit

1. Complete a permit application
   Visit the Planning & Development counter on the ground floor of the Pickering Civic Complex, One The Esplanade.
    
2. Provide two copies of plans
   Submissions must include a site location plan, sign plans, specifications, documents and other information describing the construction, dimensions, materials of the proposed sign(s) in sufficient detail to determine whether the sign will comply with the sign by-law, the building code, an approved site plan, heritage conservation district guidelines, or any other applicable law.
    
3. Pay the permit fee
   Sign permit fees are set out in the by-law. The appropriate fee is payable at the time of application in accordance with the by-law fee schedule. Additional fees must be paid if the sign has been erected before the permit has been issued.

Timeframe to Obtain a Sign Permit
Sign permits are usually issued promptly if the proposed sign complies with the sign by-law, property zoning, the Ontario Building Code, and other requirements such as Ministry of Transportation, Ontario Heritage Act, or Site Plan Approval documents, if applicable.

Required Inspection

1. A site inspection is undertaken by the City prior to the permit being issued, to confirm that the sign has not been unlawfully erected.
2. Generally one inspection is sufficient upon completion of work, to verify conformity with the approved plans. An inspection is arranged by calling 905.420.4631.

Electrical Inspections
Electrical inspections are completed independently by Ontario’s Electrical Safety Authority. Call 1.877.372.7233

Professional Engineering
A professional engineer may be required to design certain sign structures, such as a sign projecting from a wall that weighs more than 115 kg.

Variances
In some instances where it is not possible to comply with the sign by-law, a variance may be applied for. Variance applications are considered on the basis of the special circumstances that apply, the reasons why the by-law cannot be complied with, and whether the proposal is consistent with the purpose and intent of the sign by-law.